Teeth Replacement Options in Pasadena Texas

Pasadena Dental Implant Dentist:

When several tooth is missing, there are three common treatment options:

The traditional tooth supported bridge

A removable partial denture

Dental implant or dental implant bridge.

When one looks at the options it is clear that restoring teeth with dental implants is the best solution.

Tooth Supported Bridge

There is a limit onto how long a tooth supported bridge. If the bridge is replacing more than one tooth there is a tremendous burden on the remaining support teeth. In order for the bridge to be placed the remaining natural teeth have to be cut down to stumps. Often, multiple natural teeth on either side of the missing teeth have to be cut down to offer more strength. Then the large bridge is cemented onto the tooth stumps. An old fashioned bridge does nothing to preserve the bone and gum tissue that once supported the missing tooth. Thus, the bone and gum tissue will disappear causing an ugly black void underneath the bridge. Also, the bridge is difficult to clean and often the support teeth will get decay. The decay means that there has to be a new bridge or a larger bridge placed. This is done with substantial financial cost to the patient. Tooth supported bridges have poor long term service

Removable Partial Denture

A partial denture is a bulky plastic prosthesis that clamps onto the remaining teeth. The plastic partial does nothing to preserve bone levels. Furthermore, the partial uses metal clasps to grab onto the remaining teeth. This places overwhelming stresses and torquing forces on the natural teeth. This leads to the teeth becoming mobile. Also, the areas where the plastic denture rides on the gum tissue actually accelerates gum tissue and bone loss. Furthermore, the clasps make it hard to clean your teeth and teeth are more prone to cavities. The plastic teeth only ride on the gum tissue and cannot produce much chewing forces. Lastly, the partial dentures must be taken out at night and placed in a glass of water. Don’t sleep next to your teeth.

A partial denture (fake plastic teeth that you take out at night) will accelerate jaw bone loss. Furthermore, the clasps that hold the partial denture in place can torque the remaining teeth causing the teeth to loosen and fall out. Many patients never get used to the big plastic bulky prosthesis in their mouth and only wear them in social situations. Partial dentures are very poor in generating chewing forces.

Dental Implant Bridges:

Dental implants are a great way to replace multiple missing teeth. Dr. Nugent can utilize two dental implant and replace three or four teeth. The teeth are permanent and do not come out at night.